Mattress

ABSTRACT

Mattress has a casing and a foam body accommodated in the casing. A support apparatus adjustable by electric motor is provided, having a base body with two support parts which are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements. Situated on support apparatus is an electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus for adjusting support parts relative to one another, and which has an electric motor in operative connection with the support parts to adjust them. An electrical line arrangement has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus. A recess is in the foam body, and dimensioned to accommodate the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus in the recess. Support apparatus together with adjustment apparatus are accommodated in the recess, and the line arrangement is led out of the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/424,929, filed Nov. 21, 2016, and this application claims the benefit of German Application No. 10 2016 121 463.9, filed Nov. 9, 2016, and this application claims the priority of German Application No. 10 2016 121 568.6, filed Nov. 10, 2016, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mattress is known from WO 2015/64222 A1, having a casing and a foam body that is accommodated in the casing. The foam body has a first and a second horizontal foam layer situated one on top of the other, the first horizontal foam layer being made of latex or a latex-like foam, and the second foam layer being made of a shape memory foam.

Such a mattress provides a high level of lying comfort, and is suited for various sleeping habits.

The object of the invention is to further increase the comfort of such a mattress.

This object is achieved by the invention set forth in claim 1.

According to the invention, the comfort of the mattress is further increased by providing the mattress with the functionality of a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor, for example and in particular, a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor.

Within this meaning, the invention provides a support apparatus, which is adjustable by electric motor, having a base body with at least two support parts which are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements, and at least one electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus which is situated on the support apparatus for adjusting the support parts relative to one another, and which has at least one electric motor that is in operative connection with the support parts in order to adjust same. According to the invention, a recess is formed in the foam body, and is dimensioned in such a way that the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus is accommodatable in the recess, the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus being accommodated in the recess. An electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus is led out of the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.

In this way the mattress is adjustable by electric motor, thus increasing the functionality and the comfort. The support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor together with the adjustment apparatus may already be introduced into the mattress casing during manufacture of the mattress. However, according to the invention it is possible to retrofit an existing mattress.

In contrast to the approach known from EP 1 239 753 B1, in which a mattress together with a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor is accommodated in a shared casing, according to the invention the support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is accommodated in the casing of the mattress itself. A separate casing is thus unnecessary.

The invention thus provides, in a surprisingly simple manner, a mattress which has improved functionality and increased comfort, and which at the same time is easily and economically manufacturable.

According to the invention, the foam body of the mattress may have a single foam layer that forms the cushioning of the mattress. However, one advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the foam body has multiple horizontal foam layers in succession in the vertical direction. In this way, the cushioning and suspension properties of the mattress are adjustable within wide limits. In this embodiment the foam layers may be joined together, for example foamed onto one another. However, it is also possible for the foam layers to be formed by separate foam elements that are accommodated inside the casing of the mattress and are combined and held together by same.

Another further embodiment of the invention provides that the recess is formed in the foam body at the top in the vertical direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on the top side of the foam body. In this embodiment, the mattress has layering made up of the support apparatus on top and foam element(s) on the bottom. It has surprisingly been shown that, even when the support apparatus is situated above the foam body, i.e., resting directly beneath the casing of the mattress, this does not result in appreciable loss of comfort for a user of the mattress, in particular when the support apparatus is covered by a cover layer, which may have a relatively thin design, situated on the support apparatus.

According to the invention, it is also possible for the support apparatus to be situated between two foam layers in the vertical direction. In this embodiment the support apparatus may be accommodated, for example, between two foam layers in a sandwich-like manner.

The casing of the mattress may, for example and in particular, be made of a textile material.

One advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the opening in the casing is closable by means of a zipper. In this way the electrical line arrangement may be led out of the casing is a particularly simple manner. In principle, however, it is also possible to lead the line arrangement out through a separate opening in the casing.

Another extremely advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that a control apparatus for controlling the adjustment apparatus is situated on the support apparatus within the casing, and is in data transmission connection with a hand control apparatus wirelessly, in particular via radio. In this embodiment, it is only necessary for power supply lines for supplying power to the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus to be led out of the casing. Since control lines are superfluous due to wireless operation of the control apparatus by means of a hand control apparatus, it is not necessary to lead such control lines out of the casing of the mattress.

According to the invention, it is possible in principle to provide the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus loosely on the support apparatus. However, one advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the support apparatus is connected to the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus to form a unit. This simplifies installation of the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus on the mattress or in the casing of the mattress.

The support apparatus may have any given design in order to carry out the desired support and suspension functions. One advantageous further embodiment of the invention provides that the support apparatus is designed as a slatted frame.

A method according to the invention for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is set forth in claim 9.

The method according to the invention proceeds from a mattress having a closable casing and a foam body that is accommodated in the casing. Within the scope of the method according to the invention, the casing is opened, which may take place, for example and in particular, via a zipper provided on the casing. In the method according to the invention, a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is used, the support apparatus having a base body with at least two support parts which are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements, at least one electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus for adjusting the support parts relative to one another being situated on the support apparatus, and having at least one electric motor that is in operative connection with the support parts in order to adjust same.

In the method according to the invention, the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus situated thereon is inserted into a recess that is formed in the foam body, wherein an electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus, is led out through a recess that is formed in the casing, and the casing is once again closed.

The method according to the invention allows a mattress to be equipped or retrofitted with a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor, in a simple and economical manner in order to increase the comfort and the functionality of the mattress.

This correspondingly results in the same advantages as for a mattress according to the invention.

One further embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the support apparatus together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is inserted into a recess that is formed on the foam body at the top in the vertical direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on the top side of the foam body.

Another further embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the foam body has at least two horizontal foam layers in succession in the vertical direction, and wherein the support apparatus together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is inserted between two foam layers of the foam body. In this embodiment, the support apparatus is accommodated between two foam layers in a sandwich-like manner.

According to the invention, the foam body may already be formed during manufacture of the mattress, for example by providing a corresponding recess in such a way that the support apparatus may be inserted into the recess, wherein the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus is already inserted into the recess during manufacture of the mattress. However, according to the invention it is also possible to retrofit existing mattresses not having a recess in the foam body. For this purpose, one advantageous further embodiment provides that the foam body is subsequently processed by introducing into the foam body a recess that is dimensioned for accommodating the support apparatus.

In the method according to the invention, a slatted frame is advantageously used as the support apparatus.

Such a slatted frame together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus may be any suitable slatted frame on which an electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is or becomes mounted, optionally also subsequently, before the slatted frame together with the adjustment apparatus is introduced into the casing of the mattress. However, the slatted frame may in particular be a slatted frame having a completely or partially integrated electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus, as known, for example, from EP 1 239 755 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,754,922 B1), EP 1 633 219 B1 (corresponding to US 2007/0220677 A1), and in particular EP 2 418 984 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,185 B1). The disclosed content of the publications cited above is hereby incorporated in full into the disclosed content of the present patent application by reference.

The invention is explained in greater detail below based on one further embodiment, with reference to the appended schematic drawings. All features described in the description, illustrated in the drawings, and claimed in the patent claims, alone or in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, independently of their recapitulation in the patent claims or their back-references.

THE DRAWINGS SHOW THE FOLLOWING

FIG. 1 shows a slightly perspective side view of one further embodiment of a mattress according to the invention,

FIGS. 1-11 show the mattress according to FIG. 1 in the same illustration as FIG. 1 during successive method steps when retrofitting the mattress with a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor, and

FIG. 12 shows the mattress, retrofitted with a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor, according to FIG. 1 in a maximally adjusted position.

Reference is made below to FIGS. 1 through 12 for explaining one further embodiment of a mattress according to the invention, and a method according to the invention for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor.

FIG. 1 illustrates one further embodiment of a mattress 2 according to the invention, having a casing 4 made of a textile material.

It is apparent from FIG. 2 that a foam body 6 which forms the cushioning element of the mattress 2 is accommodated in the casing 4.

One further embodiment of a method according to the invention for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor is explained below with reference to FIGS. 2 through 11. FIGS. 2 through 11 illustrate method steps that follow one another chronologically.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, initially the casing 4 is opened, and in the illustrated further embodiment, in particular by means of a zipper which is provided on the casing 4, and which in the illustrated further embodiment extends around the entire periphery of the mattress 2. After the zipper is completely opened, a top part 8 of the casing 4 may be removed.

FIG. 3 shows the mattress 2 with the top part 8 of the casing 4 removed. After the top part 8 of the casing 4 is removed, its bottom part 10 may be removed.

FIG. 4 shows the mattress 2 just before the complete removal of the bottom part 10 of the casing 4.

FIG. 5 shows the mattress 2 with the casing 4 completely removed, the mattress being rotated by 180° with respect to FIG. 4, so that the surface of the mattress 2 facing downwardly in FIG. 4 faces upwardly in FIG. 5. In the illustrated further embodiment, the foam body 6 has multiple successive horizontal foam layers in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a first foam layer 12 that functions as a cover layer is rolled to the side.

FIG. 6 illustrates how a second foam layer 14 situated beneath the first foam layer 12 is removed, so that a recess 16 is exposed in the foam body, the recess being provided for accommodating according to the invention a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor, in the form of a 18 that is adjustable by electric motor (see FIG. 8) together with the adjustment apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows the mattress 2 with the recess 16 fully exposed. The recess 16 is designed for accommodating the slatted frame 18, which is adjustable by electric motor, in an essentially form-fit manner (see FIG. 8).

FIG. 8 illustrates how a slatted frame 18 that is adjustable by electric motor is inserted into the recess 16. In the illustrated further embodiment, the slatted frame 18 is a slatted frame having an integrated electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus as known from EP 2 418 984 B1, for example.

The slatted frame 18 has an electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus, integrated into the slatted frame 18, by means of which the support parts are adjustable relative to one another. In the illustrated further embodiment, an upper body support part 20 is adjustable relative to a stationary center support part 22. In other respects, the slatted frame 18 is designed as described in EP 2 418 984 B1. The slatted frame 18 may have even further adjustment functionalities if desired. For example, a leg support part that is adjustable relative to the center support part 22 may be provided. The number and design of the support parts as well as the adjustability of the support parts relative to one another are selectable within wide limits, depending on the particular requirements.

FIG. 9 shows the mattress 2 with the slatted frame 18 accommodated essentially in a form-fit manner in the recess 16. In this position of the slatted frame 18, the cover layer 12 is rolled back into its starting position.

It is apparent from FIG. 10 that the cover layer 12 in its starting position covers the slatted frame 18. The foam body 4 together with the slatted frame 18, adjustable by electric motor, accommodated therein may be subsequently re-introduced into the casing 4 of the mattress.

FIG. 11 shows how the casing 4 is subsequently closed.

In this way, the mattress 2 is retrofitted with a slatted frame 18 that is adjustable by electric motor, thus increasing comfort and functionality of the mattress 2.

FIG. 12 shows the mattress 2 in a position, adjusted by means of the slatted frame 18 that is adjustable by electric motor, in which the upper body support part 20 is pivotably adjusted relative to the stationary center support part 22.

The position illustrated in FIG. 12 is a maximum end position of the adjustment movement in which the upper body support part 20 of the slatted frame 18 is maximally adjusted relative to the stationary center support part 22, as is known for slatted frames by themselves.

An electrical line arrangement 24, which in this further embodiment has power supply lines for supplying power to the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus, is led out through a recess in the casing 4 and connected to a power supply.

For example and in particular, a radio remote controller may be provided for controlling the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus. A control apparatus for controlling the adjustment apparatus is then situated on the slatted frame 18 within the casing 4, and is in data transmission connection with a hand control apparatus via radio. Such radio remote controllers for slatted frames that are adjustable by electric motor are generally known, and therefore are not explained here in greater detail.

The invention thus allows a mattress to be retrofitted with a slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor, in a simple and economical manner. Due to the integrated slatted frame that is adjustable by electric motor, the resulting mattress according to the invention has high levels of functionality and comfort.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. A mattress, comprising: a) a casing; b) a foam body accommodated in the casing; c) a support apparatus, which is adjustable by an electric motor, for supporting a person lying on the mattress, the support apparatus having a base body with at least two support parts which are adjustable relative to one another and bear spring elements; d) at least one electric motor driven adjustment apparatus which is situated on the support apparatus for adjusting the at least two support parts relative to one another, and which has at least one electric motor that is in operative connection with the at least two support parts in order to adjust same; e) an electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for supplying power, and/or control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus; f) a recess is formed in the foam body and is dimensioned in such a way that the slatted frame together with the adjustment apparatus is accommodatable in the recess; g) the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus is accommodated in the recess; and h) the line arrangement is led out of the casing of the mattress through an opening in the casing.
 2. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the foam body has multiple horizontal foam layers in succession in a vertical direction.
 3. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the recess is formed in the foam body at the top in a vertical direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on the top side of the foam body.
 4. The mattress according to claim 2, wherein: a) the support apparatus in the vertical direction is situated between two foam layers.
 5. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the opening in the casing is closable by a zipper.
 6. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) a control apparatus for controlling the adjustment apparatus is situated on the slatted frame within the casing, and is in data transmission connection with a hand control apparatus wirelessly, in particular via radio.
 7. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the support apparatus is connected to the electric motor driven adjustment apparatus to form a unit.
 8. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein: a) the support apparatus is a slatted frame.
 9. A method for equipping or retrofitting a mattress with a support apparatus which is adjustable by electric motor, wherein: a) the mattress has a closable casing and a foam body that is accommodated in the casing; b) the casing is opened; c) a support apparatus which is adjustable by electric motor is used, the support apparatus having a base body with at least two support parts which bear spring elements and are adjustable relative to one another, at least one electric motor driven adjustment apparatus being situated on the support apparatus for adjusting the support parts relative to one another, and having at least one electric motor that is in operative connection with the support parts in order to adjust same; d) the support apparatus together with the adjustment apparatus situated thereon is inserted into a recess that is formed in the foam body; e) an electrical line arrangement that has power supply lines for supplying power and/or control lines for controlling the adjustment apparatus is led out through a recess that is formed in the casing; and f) the casing is once again closed.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the support apparatus together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is inserted into a recess that is formed on the foam body at the top in the vertical direction in such a way that the support apparatus is situated on the top side of the foam body.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the foam body has at least two horizontal foam layers in succession in the vertical direction, and wherein the support apparatus together with the electric motor driven adjustment apparatus is inserted between two foam layers of the foam body.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) the foam body is subsequently processed by introducing into the foam body a recess that is dimensioned for accommodating the support apparatus together with the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein: a) a slatted frame is used as the support apparatus. 